Author(s): B. A. Christensen

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Urbanization; Coastal Zone; Marinas; Canals; Pollutant Transport; Flushing

Abstract: Contamination of coastal waters may result from construction of industrial and residential water-front property i. e., from the establishment of marinas for commercial or private vessels and canals to access such facilities or provide waterfront areas for residential development. This may cause a loss of wetlands and estuarine systems, both important parts of the global hydrological cycle at the interface between continents and oceans. Also pollution of existing coastal waters may be the undesirable result. The impact of such activities may be evaluated by elaborate numerical three-dimensional models that predict water flow as well as convective and dispersive transport of con-taminants. The use of such models is tedious and quite often too costly for a limited construction budget. It has been found that simpler one-dimensional models, so-called "plug-flow" models are sufficient and provide safe results in a majority of cases. The present paper discusses some of these one-dimensional models and their use to evaluate the impact of catastrophic spills of pollu-tants or of the continuous inflow of contaminated water such as stormwater from urbanized areas. Only the natural flushing by astronomical tides, riverine flow or wind is considered. The use of mechanical devices such as one way flop gates is usually discouraged by permitting agencies. It is therefore not discussed here.

DOI:

Year: 1993